Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission to Sponsor Pre-Emmy Celebrity Party; LASEC Sports & Entertainment Award of Excellence to Be Presented to CBS President and CEO Les Moonves

Business Wire, Sept 7, 2001

Entertainment & Sports Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2001

The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) will play host to more than 700 CEOs who are members of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), along with a "who's who" of business, entertainment, sports and civic leaders, when LASEC hosts its annual Pre-Emmy Awards Party at Sony Pictures Studios on Saturday evening, Sept. 15, 2001.

Themed a "Celebration of Television," the party will be attended by many of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Lauren Holly, Joely Fisher, Holly Robinson Peet, Barbara Eden, Debbie Allen, Marilu Henner, Jason Kravits and Michael Badalucco ("The Practice"), Chris McDonald ("Family Law"), Alan Thicke and many more.

The event will be highlighted by the presentation of the prestigious LASEC Sports & Entertainment Award of Excellence to CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves.

The Pre-Emmy party is part of an entire "YPO Emmy Experience Weekend" created by LASEC as a promotion intended to raise awareness of the Emmy Awards and other exciting, high-profile events held in Los Angeles.

The party, which is not open to the public, will allow YPO members from 20 U.S. states and 11 foreign countries, including Australia, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia, to experience the "magic of Hollywood" by mingling with stars and high-level executives from the sports and entertainment arenas.

"The Emmy Awards are one of Los Angeles' most exciting events, and it's a wonderful occasion for us to bring YPO members in from around the world to be a part of it all," said Kathy Schloessman, LASEC president. "And we're extremely proud to announce that CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves will be the recipient of this year's LASEC Sports & Entertainment Award of Excellence."

The LASEC Sports & Entertainment Award of Excellence was established to recognize and honor the individual who best exemplifies the highest qualities of outstanding achievement in his or her field and, through this work, projects a positive image for the city of Los Angeles. Moonves was chosen for his success in building CBS into America's No. 1 network with shows like "Survivor," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

A silent auction will be held to benefit the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. Auction items will include walk-on parts to top television shows, tickets to the GRAMMYs, All-Star games and many other major events.

Some of Los Angeles' finest restaurants will be showcased, including Asia de Cuba, Camacho's, Chaya Brasserie, House of Blues, Lawry's The Prime Rib, Lunaria, McCormick & Schmick's, Napa Valley Grille, Nick Stef's Steakhouse, Reign, The Sunset Room, Ubon and Wolfgang Puck Hollywood & Highland.

YPO is an international organization comprising more than 8,000 members, all under the age of 50. Each member is the president, CEO or chairman of a company with revenues of more than $8 million annually. YPO regularly hosts high-end, exclusive events, forums, seminars and other special occasions worldwide.

LASEC is the official organization for the city of Los Angeles to seek, host, promote and retain major sporting and entertainment events that positively impact the local economy. Official marketing partners of the organization are American Express Travel Services, AT&T Wireless, Lincoln Mercury, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, United Airlines and ZNETIX.

LASEC is a private nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the Los Angeles Convention & Visitor's Bureau.